First round notebook: Ginley in hunt for Section 9 title

Sean Ginley’s golf game wasn’t in a good place at the end of the regular season.

Ginley, a Warwick junior, shot a 45 in the team’s final match at The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge in Monroe.

A few lessons from Lee Ferrec, his private coach, seems to have fixed things.

Ginley placed third in the OCIAA championship last week. And, on Monday, Ginley will near the top of the leaderboard again at the Section 9 tournament.

Ginley shot a 5-over-par 77 at Mansion Ridge in the first round of the Section 9 tournament to tie for second place. He is one shot behind Cornwall freshman Ryan Rodriguez heading into the second and final round Wednesday at Casperkill Golf Club in Poughkeepsie.

“I’m feeling confident going into the final round,” said Ginley, who advanced to the final round for the second straight year. “I’m starting to get back into it. (My problems) had a lot to do with my tempo and getting my swing back.”

James I. O’Neill junior Brendan Riley waited for more 15 minutes to find out if his local career would be extended one more tournament.

Riley shot a 13-over 85, which was right on the cutline until one of the final groups came in and the suspense began.

Kingston’s Justin Theilig signed his scorecard for an 85. But, Theilig actually shot an 84, which would have bumped Riley and Spackenkill’s Greg Allen out. After a trip to Mansion Ridge pro shop, the official ruling was Theilig’s score would be recognized as an 85.

Riley, who is headed to prep school to play hockey in the fall, had qualified for his first section final round.

Theilig made the cut on the number for the second straight season.

The cut at 85 was one stroke lower than last year’s first round, played in rain at Mansion Ridge.

OCIAA champion David Powers of Eldred shot a 84 with the help of some luck on the par-4, 16th hole. Powers hit three tee shots because he wasn’t sure the first two were in play. After about five minutes of searching, Powers’ first drive was found into some trees, saving him a shot. Powers’ next shot stayed along the same line and dropped into the woods but it was found again. Powers settled for a triple-bogey 7 but it could have been much worse.

Ryan Rodriguez’s4-over 76 is the first over-par, first-round leading score since 2007 when Chris DeForest (Rondout Valley) and Scott Wheeler (Chapel Field) each shot a 4-over 75.

Rodriguez and Valley Central sophomore Andrew Barone were the only golfers to shoot under-par on the front or back nine. They both shot 2-under 34s on the front.

We reserve the right to remove any content at any time from this Community, including without limitation if it violates the Community Rules. We ask that you report content that you in good faith believe violates the above rules by clicking the Flag link next to the offending comment or fill out this form.

Blog Author

Sal Interdonato

Award-winning writer Sal Interdonato has been on the Army football beat since 2007. He'll take you inside the huddle and into the lives of the Black Knights. Read Full